Active And Passive Euthanasia Summary

In the reading, "Active and Passive Euthanasia," the author argues that there is no distinction between active euthanasia and passive euthanasia, and that even letting a person die through passive euthanasia can be just as cruel as intentionally killing someone (pp. 564-565).
One of the author’s main reasons to support his view is that the suffering that people experience when a physician withholds treatment can be just as painful, or even more painful, than actively killing someone (pp.565). The author also explains that, in terms of motives, killing is not necessarily worse than letting die (pp.565-566). Although both can be done with good intentions, like to relieve someone of their pain, both have the motive of terminating life. He also
states that while it is considered bad if someone causes another person’s death, bringing about death for someone who seems to desire it is no longer considered bad (pp.567).
After considering the author's argument, I believe that we should not be convinced because I think it goes against what medical doctors have an obligation to do. Technically, abiding by this reasoning would lead to an instance of medical neglect of some kind.